Electric-light switch.



No. 7I0,473. Patented Uct. 7, i902. H. W. LAWRENCE. ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCH. (Appuwmn med me. s, 1901. :no noden.) 2 sheets-sheet-l.

'Ai l No. 7m,473. Patented ont. 7, |902.

H. w. LAWRENCE. ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCH.

(Application filed Dec. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNiTnD STATES ATENT Ormea- HARRY VALLACE LAVRENCE, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEV ENGLAND ELECTRIC'COMPA Y, OF DENVER, COLORADO, A COR- PORATION OF COLORADO.

ELECTRIC-UG HT'VSWITCH.

SPECIFIC ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,473, dated Octobe '7, 1902. Application led December 28, 1901. Serial No. 87,573. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that l, HARRY WALLACE Law- RENCE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Light Switches; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable othio ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

illy invention relates to improvements in electric-lightl switches.

The object of lny invention is to produce a switch by means of which a current of electricity from a dynamo may be so controlled zo that the same may be directed to supply the lamps in a given current or cnt-off, so as to el't'ectively prevent accidental lighting or burning out of the wires due to grounding.

Another object of the invention is to produce a switch which is so constructed that it may in its simplest form be used as a singlepole switch or by a slight rearrangement of the parts be converted into a th ree-way or to a double-pole switch, as maybe desired.

3o A further object of the invention is to produce a switch which is simple in construction, positive in action, and which when operati ng either to turn the current into a given circuit or to cut it oi' therefrom is securely locked against accidental switching, thus obviating any of the annoyances or danger which might arise thereby.

The invention further consists in the novel arrangement and construction of the parts,

.fio as will be hereinafter set forth in the speci- [ication and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, Figure l is a top plan A5 view of the casing which contains my improved switch mechanism.

tom plan view thereof, showing the switch mechanism arranged for use as a single-pole switch, the bottom or rear section of the cas- 5o ing being removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical lon- Fig. 2 is a bot! gitudinal sectional view of the casing and mechanism, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 oi' Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the casing when the mechanism is arranged as a three-way switch. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of the same, the mechanism being removed and the connecting-wire by 6o which the device is changed from a singlepole to a th ree-way switch being secured in position. Fig. 8 is a vert ical longitudinal sectional view taken through one section of the casing, the mechanism being removed and the brushes arranged in the position they will occupy when the device is used as a doublepole switch. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the switch mechanism, the parts being separated in order to more clearly show 7o the construction thereof.` Figs. lO and ll are views, respectively, of a hollow and solid binding-post used in connection with my improved switch; and Fig. 12 is a sectional view through one end of the rocking lever. 75

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates the front section of the casing, and B the rear section o r cover. These sections are substantially rectangular in contour and are made oi porcelain or any suitable non-con- 8o ducting material. At each corner the section A is provided with a hole a, which receives a suitable binding post, and corresponding holes b in the section B permit the wires to be passed to the binding-posts, as shown.

The outer face of the section A of the casing is provided with grooves or depressions a', which extend lengthwise of the casing from one hole a to another, and for a suitable distance from each hole u, the groove or depres- 9o sion a/ is much deeper than at its central portion, and these deepened portions a2 receive the heads of the binding-screws and permit of their being manipulated by an ordinary screw-driver. Centrallyof each groove a a hole a3 is provided, through which the screws for securing the switch mechanism in place are passed. Plates or ears a4 are screwed to each end of the face of the casing, the casing being recessed, as shown, that the ears a4 may Ion lie flush with the face thereof. These ears are provided with countersunk holes d5, through which screws pass for securing the casing to any suitable support. The casing is also provided with circular apertures a, through which the push-buttons, to be hereinafter referred to, pass. From the rear side of this section A of the casing a recess Al is formed, which is designed to receive the switch mechanism, as will clearly be seen by reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and to one side of this recess A a groove or depression dl extends lengthwise of the casing from one of the holes tt to another in which lies a suitable connecting-wire (see Fig. 7) when the device is designed to operate as a three-way switch. The holes d3 in the casing open into recesses a8, which extend to the recess A and are at right angles thereto, and in the recesses as lie apertured portions of the supporting means for the switch mechanism, which are secured by screws a9, passing down through the holes a3, as will be shown.

The switch mechanism comprises two principal parts: first, a current-controlling rocking lever l, which is spring-controlled and rocks in a suitable frame or support, and, second, a centrally-pivoted rocking arm 2, which carries at its ends the levers upon which the push-buttons are secured, and these parts move oppositely with respect to each other, as will hereinafter appear. The supportingframe 2L for the current-controlling lever 2 is made of sheet metal and is formed to present a base portion 3, from which extend side members 4 at right angles to the base portion, having apertures for the reception of pivot-pins 4, which support the lever l. The side members 4 are reduced in width near their free ends, and the reduced portions are bent at right angles to the side members to form ears 5, which have screw-threaded apertures for the reception of retaining-screws.

The supporting means for the rocking arm 2 consists of a pair of brackets 6, each of which is composed of two members 6 and 6", which are at right angles to each other. The rocking arm 2 lies between the members 6* of the brackets, which are apertured, as shown, and receive a pivot-pin 6c, which passes through the arm 2, permittinga rocking movement of the arm 2 between said members 6b, as clearly shown in the drawings.

In order to secure the two parts of the switch together and to the casing, the members 6a of the brackets 6, which have screwthreaded apertures, are first placed within the recess a8, and the ears 5 of the frame 2a are next passed in and lie against the members 6, so that the apertures in each and the hole d3 shall register. Screws a9 are then passed down through the holes d3 of the casing and are screwed into the aforesaid apertures of ears 5 and members 6, thus securing the two parts of the switch together and at the same time securing the complete mechanism in rigid engagement with the casing.

The lever l is made up of two similarlyshaped members, each of which is formed from a strip of metal bent so as to presenta long portion la, short bends lb at right angles thereto, and rounded end portions 1, which are provided with apertures, as shown, and when the members thus formed are assembled they form a rectangular frame within which the rocking arm 2 and parts carried thereby move, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 9. At each end of this frame is secured a tension-spring 1d, the function of which will hereinafter appear.

' The rocking arm 2 has pivoted at each end thereof a lever C, consisting of two arms 2* and 2c at right angles to each other. In other words, the levers C are practically bell-crank levers. The arms 2b of these levers are screwthreaded at their extremities for the reception of push buttons, and the arms 2a extend inward or toward each other, and a slight bend in each, as shown at 2d, Fig. 9, permits it to lie to one side of the member 6D of a bracket 6. The extremities of these arms are provided with headed pins 2e, upon which the free end of one of the tension-springs ld is hooked, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In a single-pole switch the two members composing the rocking lever l are secured at one end by passing an ordinary eyelet through the apertures thereof and then spreading the ends of said eyelet in the well-known manner. The other end of the lever, however, which is to serve as a conductor, is arranged in the following manner: The apertures in each member at this end are provided with rings 7, made of fiber or other non-conducting material, through which a pin 7a passes. Two disks 7b of non-conducting material are then slipped upon the pin 7, so as to lie one ou one sideI and one on the other side of the end portion of lever l, and against these disks 7b metal washers 7c are placed, after which the pin 7 is riveted at each end upon the washers 7c, thus securely holding the washers and disks upon the pin 7a and at the same time clamping the ends of the members of lever 1 together. Thus it will be seen by reference to Fig. l2 that while a current of electricity can pass through pin 7 the non-conducting ring 7 and disks 7b will prevent the current passing into lever l and thence to the other parts composing the switch.

By reference to` Figs. 2, 3, and 5 it will be seen that as a single-pole switch the casing A is'provided at one end with apair of brushes 3, which are secured to the casing by means of hollow posts S, which pass through the openings d in the casing, as previously described, and through apertures in the bent ends of the brushes 8. Circular nuts 8b,

screwed on the ends of the hollow posts, clamp the brushes to the casings, as clearly shown. The heads of the hollow posts 8n are provided with binding-screws Sc, which secure the circuit-wires, as will appear.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen IOO IIO

that the conductor end of lever l is in contact with the brushes 8 and is held in this position by the action of the tension-springs ld and that lever l and rocking arm 2 lie at an angle with respect to each other. Now for convenience of description we will say that the conductor end of lever l is above an imaginary line drawn through its axis, and its free end is consequently below said line and that the ends of the oppositely-inclined rocking arm 2 lie one above and the other below the imaginary line. The ends of lever and arm above the line will be on the same plane and those below the line on the same plane. It will thus be seen that the spring ld at that end of lever l above the imaginary line will engage the headed pin 2e on arm 2C of the lever C, pivoted at that end of rocking arm 2 above the imaginary line, and that the spring ld at that end of lever 1 below the imaginary line will engage the headed pin 2e on arm 2C ot the lever C, pivoted at that end of rock-A ing arm 2 below the imaginary line. Thus a tension will be exerted on the ends of lever l above and below its axial center, which will hold it in position either to open or close the circuit, as may be desired, the lever l contacting with the base portion 3 of frame 2in either position, and thus preventing` excess of movement.

To change the position of lever I when it is desired either to open or close the circuit, as the case may be, the push-button which protrudes through the casing is pushed in, and this button, through its lever C, rocks the arm 2, reversing the positions of its ends. lVhen the arm 2 reaches a vertical or horizontal plane, according to the position of the casing A, the arms 2C of lever C will be on the same plane and will be exerting a direct vertical or horizontal tension; but a t'urther movement of the arm 2 will position the arms 2C, one on one side and one on the other side of the vertical or horizontal line or above and below the pivotal point of the arm 2, when the line of. direction of the tension of each spring ld will thus be changed and the position of rocking leverl will be instantaneously reversed.

As a single-pole switch the mechanism is arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, one pair of brushes S being used and one end of lever l being arranged as a conductor. As a threeway switch two sets of brushes S are used, and a conducting-wire 8(vx runs from the hollow binding-post S1L of one of a set of brushes 8 to a solid post 8C, which secures one of a pair of brushes S at the opposite end of cas-' ing, as will be seen by reference to Fig. '7, and the lever l is arranged as a conductor at each end.

As a double-pole switch the wire S is dispensed with, two sets of brushes 8 are used and are arranged as shown in Fig. S, and le- Ver l is arranged as a double conductor.

It will thus be seen that a switch constructed as herein described is positive in operaso as tion and can be quickly changed from a single-pole to a three-way or a double-pole switch.

In operation the mechanism is arranged for the character of switch desired and is secured within the recess A', as previously described. The section B is then secured to section Aby means of a screw b', which passes through a central aperture in the casing B and enters a screw-threaded aperture 8f* in the frame 2, as shown. The casing containing the switch mechanism is then ready for use and is read- 'ily secured to any suitable support-such as a window-frame, door-frame, or any convenient place-by screws which pass through the holes a5 in the ears a4 of casing A. Over the casing is then placed the usual face-plate provided with openings for the movement of the push-buttons, and between the face-plate and casing is interposed a sheet of fiber D, which will prevent the plate from becoming charged by contact of the circuitwires therewith. The switch may then be connected in the manner desired by passing the circuit-wires into the hollow posts and securing them by the binding-screws, and the circuit in which the switch is contained may be opened and closed at will.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an electric-light switch, the combination of a suitably-constructed casing composed of two sections,aspring-controlled rocking lever, made up of two similarly-shaped members forming la rectangular frame having projecting ends, one of which is arranged as a current-conductor and is insulated from said lever, a supporting-bracket secured within the casing to which said lever is pivoted, brushes which lie in the path of the conductor end of said lever, binding-posts for securing said brushes to the casing and connecting them with circuit-wires; and a pushbutton mechanism, comprising arocking arm pivoted so as to lie within the rectangular frame formed by the rocking lever, and carrying at its ends levers which carry push-buttons and are connected to the rocking lever so as to operate the same to open and close the circuit, substantially as shown.

2. In an electric-light switch, the combination of a suitably-constructed casing composed of two sections,a spring-controlled rocking lever made up of two similarly-shaped members forming a rectangular frame having projecting ends, one of which is arranged as a current-conductor, and is insulated from said lever; a supporting-bracket secured within the casing to which said lever is pivoted, brushes lying in the path of the conductor end of said lever, binding-posts for securing said brushes to the casing, and connecting therewith circuit-wires; and a push-button mechanism comprising a rocking arm pivotally supported between the depending ends of brackets which are secured to the casing, to lie within the rectangular frame IIO formed by the rocking lever, and carrying at its ends levers composed of two members at right angles to each other, one of each of which receives a push-button, and the other is in engagement with a spring secured to the end of the rectangular frame of the said rocking lever, so as to operate the same to open or close the circuit, substantially as shown.

3. In an electric-light switch, a rocking lever made up of two similarly-shaped members forming a rectangular frame having projecting ends which are adapted to be arranged as current-conductors, and to be insulated from said lever; a supporting bracket to which said lever is pivotally secured; a rocking arm pivotally secu red between the depending ends of brackets so as to li'e within the rectangular frame formed by said rocking lever, and carrying at each end a lever composed of two members at right angles to each other, one member of each lever receiving a push-button, and the other members being in engagement with springs secured at the ends of the rectangular frame of the rocking lever, said springs exerting a tension upon the rocking lever and holding the same in either of two positions; in combination with a suitably-constructed casing composed of two sections adapted to receive terminal brushes, and having binding-posts for securing said brushes to the casing, and connecting them with circuitwires, substantially as shown.

4. In an electric-light switch, a centrallypivoted rocking lever formed to present a rectangular frame having projecting ends which are adapted to be arranged as current-conductors; a rock-arm pivoted so as to move within the rectangular frame of rocking lever, but in an opposite direction thereto, and carrying at each end thereof a lever composed of two members at right angles to each other, the levers being disposed one on one side and one on the other side of said arm, a member of each lever carrying a push-button, and the other members extending inward or toward each other and being engaged by springs which are secured at each end of the rectangular frame of the rocking lever, so as to exert a tension which causes the lever and arm to lie at opposite angles or inclines with respect to each other, and effect a reverse position of said rocking lever when a button is pushed; in combination with a suitably-constructed casing composed of two sections, and carrying terminal brushes at its ends, and means for securing saidrbrushes to the casin g, and connecting them with circuit-wires, substantially as shown.

5. In an electric-light switch, the combination of a centrallypivoted rocking lever, made in the form of a rectangular frame having projecting ends, one or both of which is adapted to be arranged as a current-conductor, said lever normally lying at an angle or incline; a centrally pivoted rocking arm, which lies at an opposite incline or angle to the rocking lever, and moves within the rectangular frame thereof, but in a reverse direction thereto, levers pivotally secured at the ends of said rock-arm, each having a member which receives a push-button, and an inwardly-extending member, one of which lies above or to one side, and one below or on the other side of the pivotal point of said arm;

tension-springs which are secured at the ends of the rectangular frame of the rocking lever and to the extremities of the inwardly-extending members of the levers carried by therrockarm, so as to exert a tension on each side or above and below the pivotal points of said rocking lever and rock-arm; thereby holding them in locked position with relatiorrto each other, substantially as shown.

6. In an electric-light switch, a centrallypivoted rocking lever made up of two similarly-shaped members which form a rectangular frame having projecting ends' which are apertured, rings made of liberor any other suitable non-conducting material, which fit in said apertures, pins which pass through said rings and support fiber washers in engagement with the aperture ends of the lever, and metal washers which lie against said ber washers; so as to form a conductor end which is insulated from the said rocking lever; in combination with-a rock-arm which is pivoted between the depending ends of suitable brackets, so as to lie within the rectangular frame of the rocking lever and at an opposite incline thereto, levers carried by the rock-arm having members at right angles to each other, one member of each lever carrying a push-button and the other member extending inward, and springs attached to the inwardly-extending members, and to the rocking lever so as to exert a tension on each side of the pivotal point of said lever and rock-arm to hold them in locked position with relation to each other, substantially as shown.

7. In an electric-light switch, the combination of a suitably-constructed casing composed of two sections provided with holes or apertures for the reception of binding-posts; terminal brushes secured at either end by said binding-posts, and circuit-wires connected therewith; a centrally-pivoted rocking lever made up of two similarly-shaped members to form a rectangular frame having projecting ends, one or both of which is arranged as a current-conductor, said conductor ends contacting with the aforesaid terminal brushes in one position, and being out of contact with them in the reverse position; a frame or bracket secured within the casing to which said rocking lever is pivotally secured, and which limits the movement of said lever in either direction; a rock-arm pivoted between the depending ends of brackets or supports secured within the casings, so as to move within the rectangular frame of the aforesaid rocking lever, but in an opposite direction thereto; levers pivotally secured at the ends of the rock-arm having members at right angles to each other, one member of each lever IIO carrying a puslbbutton, and the other member extending inward, and springs attached to the inwardly-extending members and to the rockingr lever in such a manner as to exert a tension on each side of the pivotal point of said lever and rock-arm, to hold them locked in either of two positions and to effect an instantaneous reversal of the position of each when one of the buttons is pushed, substantially as shown.

S. In an electric-light switch, a conductorlever in the form of a rectangular frame with projecting ends; a rock-arm positioned to move within the rectangular frame, and carrying at its ends, L-shaped levers; push-buttons carried by a member of each L-shaped lever, and springs connected to the other members and to the conductor-lever; in combination with a rectangular casing composed of two sections, having oppositely-disposed terminal brushes at its ends; means, such as binding-posts, for securing the brushes to the casing, circuit-Wires in contact with said bindinl-posts and with the brushes, holes to receive said binding-posts, suitably-secured brackets which support the rock-arm, and a frame or bracket which supports the conductor -lever and limits its movement in either direction, the latter having a threaded perforation in one ofits sides Which receives a screw for securing the two sections of the casing together, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY WALLACE LAWRENCE. Vitnesses:

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, FRED A. WEBSTER. 

